Method and fastening means or device for clamping of a support rail at a load carrying tube of a bicycle carrier of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method and device for clamping a support rail ( 5 ) at a load carrying tube ( 7 ) of a bicycle carrier ( 17 ) of a vehicle using a fastening device. The fastening device ( 1 ) is arranged initially slidably along the support rail ( 5 ) and along the load carrying tube ( 7 ). The support rail ( 5 ) is displaceable along the load carrying tube ( 7 ) and transverse to the load carrying tube ( 7 ) to a desired position. A clamping device or fastener ( 12 ) of the fastening means ( 1 ) is operated to an essential simultaneously contact against the supporting rail and against the load carrying tube ( 7 ) to fasten these relative to each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of PCT application PCT/SE2007/000750 filed Aug. 24, 2007, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference, said PCT application claims priority to Swedish application 0601752-9 filed Aug. 25, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a method and device for clamping a support rail at a load carrying tube of a bicycle carrier of a vehicle, by means of a fastening means.

The present invention also refers to a fastening means or device for clamping of a support rail at a load carrying tube, comprising a shackle, intended to extend essentially around the load carrying tube, and a clamping means, intended to clamp the load carrying tube between the shackle and the clamping means.

STATE OF THE ART

A fastening means or device for clamping of accessories to a load carrier is previously known, for instance, through U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,971 and comprising a bracket, which is intended to be clamped firmly around a load carrying tube and an upper recess for a mounting bolt or similar.

The previously known fastening means or device works satisfactory, but has not prove itself suitable to clamp support rails at a bicycle carrier, as the placement of the support rail depends on were the holes for the mounting bolts have been located.

Problem

The problem with a fastening means or devices of known kind is that it will not give a desired flexibility and that the cost for adopting the fastening means or device to different bicycle carriers becomes too high.

Solution

The purpose with the present invention is to achieve a method for a more compact loading of bicycles on the load carrier and to achieve a fastening means or device, which can be used together with different bicycle carriers, and thereby provide a large flexibility on how the bicycle being located on the bicycle carrier, and to achieve a simple clamping of a support rail at the bicycle carrier.

The present invention overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages with a method of introductory mentioned kind which being characterized in that the fastening means or device is arranged initially slidable along the support rail and along the load carrying tube, wherein the support rail is displaceable along the load carrying tube and transverse to the load carrying tube to a desired position, and that a clamping means or fastener of the fastening means or device being operated to an essential simultaneously contact against the supporting rail and against the load carrying tube to fasten these relative each other.

Preferably, at least two support rails are arranged on the load carrying tube and being displaced relatively to each other, whereby two bicycles, for example, directed away from each other may be located closer to each other, compared to a placement on two side by side arranged support rails.

The invention also refers to a fastening means or device of introductory mentioned kind which being characterized in that the fastening means or device having at least one to the support rail adopted guiding integrated with the fastening means or device, wherein the support rail being clamped between the clamping means or fastener and the guiding at tightening of the clamping means or fastener.

According to a first embodiment, the fastening means or device comprises an elongated body, which at one end, by means of a hinge or similar, being turnable attached at the shackle, and which at its other end having said clamping means or fastener, which is intended to bring the shackle in direction against the body and firmly clamping the load carrying tube between the shackle and a lower surface of the body, whereby an upper surface of the body, having said elongated guiding, which is integrated with the body, and that the body, at least partly, is elastic deformable, wherein the body being deformed at tightening of the clamping means or fastener, so that the support rail become fixed at the guide.

Preferably, the guiding comprises two T-shaped guiding rails, which are intended to be brought into two corresponding C-shaped recesses in the support rail. At tightening of the clamping means or fastener, the upper surface of the body is at least partly in contact with the support rail, wherein said support rail becomes firmly wedged to the fastening means or device, between the upper surface and the guiding rails. Alternatively, the respective guiding rail abuts, at tightening of the clamping means or fastener, against the boundary wall of respective recess in the support rail, wherein said guiding rail becomes firmly wedged to the fastening means or device. Preferably, the body is located above and abuts essential perpendicular against the load carrying tube.

According to a second embodiment, the guiding extends along at least an elongated upper edge of the shackle and in that the clamping means or fastener comprising a wedge shaped device, which by means of a bolt is engaged with the support rail and the load carrying tube at tightening of the clamping means or fastener, so that the load carrying tube is clamped between the shackle and a lower surface of the wedge shaped device and so that the support rail is clamped between the guiding and an upper surface of the wedge shaped device, whereby the support rail and the load carrying tube are fixed to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A fastening means according to the present invention shall hereafter be described with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a fastening means or device according the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the fastening means or device according to FIG. 1, with a support rail and a load carrying tube,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view in perspective of a load carrier with two support rails in a first position,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view in perspective of the load carrier according to FIG. 3 with the support rails in a second position, and

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of an alternative designed fastening means or device, with a support rail and a load carrying tube.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The fastening means or device 1, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises an elongated body 2 of an elastic material, for instance a plastic material. The body 2 is formed in one piece with an essential flat upper surface 3 a, on which surface at least one elongated guiding 4, adopted to an in itself previously known support rail 5 being arranged. The support rail 5 is suitable made of aluminum or similar. In FIGS. 1 and 2 said guiding 4 being shown in the shape of two T-shaped guiding rails 4 a and 4 b, which are intended to be brought into two corresponding C-shaped recesses 6 a and 6 b in the support rail 5. Of course, it may be possible to utilize one or several guiding rails. It should also be possible that the guiding 4 is in the shape of a recess, with suitable profile, and that the support rail 5 is provided with corresponding guiding rails.

The body 2 is likewise formed with a profiled lower surface 3 b, which being adapted to an in itself previously known load carrying tube 7. The design of the lower surface 3 b can naturally be adapted to different profiles of the load carrying tube 7, as an example, a circular or an oval or a rectangular shape. The essential is that the body 2 could be placed above and abutting essentially perpendicular against the load carrying tube 7.

The fastening means or device 1 also comprising a shackle 8, which by means of a hinge 9 is in a turnable way attached at one end 10 of the body 2, and at the other end 11 of the body 2 having a clamping means or fastener 12 to tighten together the body 2 and the shackle 8 around the load carrying tube 7. The clamping means or fastener 12 may consist of a bolt 13, which extends through a hole 14 at the other end 11 of the body 2 and through a hole 15 in the shackle 8 to a nut 16, which suitable is in the shape of a hand wheel or similar. Naturally, the clamping means or fastener 12 may be formed in other known ways, for instance, as a quick-grip of eccentric form or similar. The hinge 9 may as well be formed in other known ways, for instance, as appear from U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,971.

According to some embodiments, when the fastening means or device 1 is in an unloaded condition, that is, when the fastening means or device 1 is mounted on the load carrying tube 7, but before the clamping means or fastener 12 has been tightened, the fastening means or device 1 can be moved along the load carrying tube 7 and that the support rail 5 can be moved backwards and forwards along the fastening means or device 1. At tightening of the clamping means or fastener 12, the shackle 8 is brought in direction against the body 2, wherein the load carrying tube 7 being firmly clamped between the shackle 8 and the lower surface 3 b of the body 2. Simultaneously, the clamping force, acting between the hinge 9 at one end 10 of the body 2, and the hole 14 at the other end 11 of the body 2, will cause a deflection or elastic deformation of the elongated body 2. The upper surface 3 a of the body 2 will, at least partly, come into contact with the support rail 5, where said support rail will be firmly wedged between the upper surface 3 a and the guiding rails 4 of the fastening means or device 1. It is also possible to design the guiding rails 4 a and 4 b, respective, which are integrated with the body 2, to bending out to abutment against the upper and lower boundary walls of the recesses 6 a and 6 b, respective, in the support rail 5.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 a bicycle carrier 17 being shown, that is intended to be mounted at a vehicle (not shown). The bicycle carrier 17 comprises a load carrying tube 7, of the above mentioned kind, which extends in an arc-shape, out of the bicycle carrier 17, and two support rails 5 a and 5 b. The support rails 5 a and 5 b are intended to be fastened at the load carrying tube 7 by aid of said fastening means.

In FIG. 3, the support rails 5 a and 5 b are arranged parallel and relatively close to each other, which can be sufficient at transportation of one or two standard bicycles. At larger bicycles or at transportation of bicycles having luggage, it can be desirable to achieve more space for the bicycles on the bicycle carrier 17. This is possible with the present invention, and as appear from FIG. 4 the support rails 5 a and 5 b may, for instance, be displaced relative each other and the distance between the support rails 5 a and 5 b can also become increased. It is also easy, when required, to introduce a third support rail (not shown).

By displacing the support rails 5 a and 5 b relatively each other an extra space can also be provided, for example for locating two bicycles directed from each other closer each other, compared with a placement on two adjacent each other arranged support rails. It will hereby become possible to load the bicycles more compact compared to known bicycle carriers.

It is also an advantage that a load being displaced towards the vehicle, which will reduce the lever that acts on the vehicle.

In FIG. 5, an alternative shaped fastening means or device 1 is shown and corresponding details have been marked with equal reference numerals as in the other figures. The fastening means or device 1 is intended for clamping of a support rail 5 at a load carrying tube 7 and comprising a shackle 8 in shape of a semicircular double-walled housing with a recess 27, which is intended to extend essentially around the load carrying tube 7. An upper lock 18 is fasten at the shackle 8 with bolts or similar (not shown), which extends through the holes 19 and 20. The load carrying tube 7 being clamped between the shackle 8 and a clamping means or fastener 12. The fastening means or device 1 having at least one guiding 4, adopted to the support rail 5, and integrated with the fastening means or device 1, whereby the support rail 5 being clamped between the clamping means or fastener 12 and the guiding 4 at tightening of the clamping means or fastener 12.

A guiding 4 a and 4 b is suitably integrated with respective sidewall 28 and 29 of the shackle 8 and extends along at least one elongated upper edge of the shackle 8. The clamping means or fastener 12 comprising a wedge shaped device 21, which can be operated back and forth by aid of a bolt 22. The wedge shaped device 21 can extend through the hole 25 and the opening 26 of the upper lock 18. At tightening of the clamping means or fastener 12 the wedge shaped device 21 is brought into engagement with the support rail 5 and the load carrying tube 7, such that the load carrying tube 7 being clamped between a the shackle 8 and a lower surface 23 of the wedge shaped device 21, and such that the support rail 5 being clamped between the guiding 4 and an upper surface 24 of the wedge shaped device 21, whereby the support rail 5 and the load carrying tube 7 being fixed relatively each other.

In FIG. 5, said guiding 4 being shown in shape of two L-shaped guiding rails 4 a and 4 b, which are intended to be introduced into two corresponding L-shaped recesses 6 a and 6 b in the support rail 5. Naturally, it would be possible to utilize one or several guiding rails. It should also be thinkable that the guiding 4 is in shape of a recess, with suitable profile, and that the support rail 5 having a corresponding guiding rail.

An advantage with this alternative embodiment of the fastening means 1 is that the parts will keep together even though the clamping means or fastener 12 is not tightened or if the bolt 22 loosens.

Another alternative embodiment of the fastening means is that the device according FIG. 5 being used, but the lock being excluded and that the clamping means is in the shape of a bolt or a quick-clamp, comprising an eccentric lever, arranged from beneath of the shackle and directly acting towards the load carrying tube. The load carrying tube would in such case abut directly against the support rail and at tightening of the clamping means being clamped against this. 

1. A fastening device for clamping a support rail to a load carrying tube that is attached to a vehicle, said fastening device comprising: a body having a substantially flat upper surface and an elongate guiding portion extending along said body and configured to slidably connect with the support rail; a shackle hingedly attaching to said body with a recess formed between said body and shackle, said recess shaped to receive said carrying tube; a fastener extending between said shackle and body for tightening said shackle and body together; and said fastening device having a non-tightened configuration wherein the support rail is freely moveable along said guiding portion and the carrying tube is freely moveable in said recess, and a tightened configuration wherein the support rail is frictionally fixed in place along said guiding portion and the carrying tube is frictionally fixed in said recess.
 2. The fastening device according to claim 1, wherein in said tightened configuration, said shackle is urged against said body such that the load carrying tube in said recess is firmly clamped between said shackle and a lower surface of said body.
 3. The fastening device according to claim 2, wherein said shackle extends substantially around said load carrying tube.
 4. The fastening device according to claim 2, wherein said shackle and said body have aligned apertures for receiving a longitudinal axle of said fastener.
 5. The fastening device according to claim 4, wherein in said tightened configuration, said fastener is tightened such that a force acts upon said body causing elastic deformation of said body and thereby frictionally fixing the support rail in place along said guiding portion.
 6. The fastening device according to claim 5, wherein said guiding portion receives the support rail, and in the tightened configuration during deformation of said body the support rail is firmly wedged between an upper surface of said guiding portion thereby fixing the support rail in place along said guiding portion.
 7. The fastening according to claim 6, wherein said fastener is positioned on a side of said body opposite said hinged attachment of said shackle to said body, wherein in said tightened configuration said force of said fastener being tightened acts between said fastener and said hinged attachment causing elastic deformation of said body.
 8. The fastening device according to claim 1, wherein said fastening device further comprises a wedge shaped device which extends through an opening in said upper surface of said body.
 9. The fastening device according to claim 8, wherein in said tightened configuration said wedge shaped device is simultaneously urged against both said support rail through said opening in said upper surface of said body and the load carrying tube thereby frictionally fixing the support rail in place along said guiding portion and frictionally fixing the load carrying tube in said recess.
 10. The fastening device according to claim 9 wherein in said tightened configuration, the load carrying tube is frictionally fixed between said shackle and a lower surface of said wedge shaped device and the support rail is frictionally fixed between said guiding portion and an upper surface of said wedge shaped device.
 11. A fastening device for clamping a support rail to a load carrying tube that is attached to a vehicle, said fastening device comprising: a body having a substantially flat upper surface and an elongate guiding portion extending along said body and configured to slidably connect with the support rail; a shackle adapted for hingedly attaching to said body with a recess formed between said body and shackle, said recess shaped to receive said carrying tube and allow reciprocating movement of said carrying tube therein; an elongate fastener extending between said shackle and body for tightening said shackle to said body, and said elongate fastener having a tightened configuration in which said shackle is urged against said body such that the load carrying tube in said recess is firmly clamped between said shackle and a lower surface of said body thereby preventing reciprocating movement of the carrying tube in said recess.
 12. The fastening device according to claim 11, wherein said shackle and said body have aligned apertures for receiving said elongate fastener.
 13. The fastening device according to claim 12, wherein in said tightened configuration said fastener is tightened such that a force acts upon said body causing elastic deformation of said body and thereby preventing reciprocating movement of the support rail along said guiding portion.
 14. The fastening device according to claim 13, wherein said guiding portion receives the support rail and in the tightened configuration during deformation of said body the support rail is firmly wedged between an upper surface of said guiding portion thereby preventing reciprocating movement of the support rail along said guiding portion.
 15. The fastening device according to claim 14, wherein said elongate fastener is positioned on a side of said body opposite said hinged attachment of said shackle to said body, wherein in said tightened configuration a force of said fastener being tightened acts between said fastener and said hinged attachment causing elastic deformation of said body.
 16. The fastening device for clamping a support rail to a load carrying tube that is attached to a vehicle, said fastening device comprising: a body having a substantially flat upper surface and an elongate guiding portion extending along said body and configured to slidably connect with the support rail; a shackle hingedly attaching to said body with a recess formed between said body and shackle, said recess shaped to receive said carrying tube and allow reciprocating movement of said carrying tube therein; a wedge shaped device which extends through an opening in said upper surface of said body; and said fastening device having a tightened configuration wherein said wedge shaped device is simultaneously urged against the support rail through said opening in said upper surface of said body and urged said load carrying tube thereby preventing reciprocation of the support rail along said guiding portion and preventing reciprocation of said load carrying tube in said recess.
 17. A clamping device according to claim 16, a fastener extending within said fastening device adapted for tightening said wedge shaped device to said tightened configuration.
 18. A clamping device according to claim 16 wherein in said tightened configuration, said load carrying tube is urged between said shackle and a lower surface of said wedge shaped device and the support rail is urged between said guiding portion and an upper surface of said wedge shaped device.
 19. Method for clamping a support rail (5) at a load carrying tube (7) of a bicycle carrier (17) of a vehicle with a fastening means (1) comprising arranging the fastening means (1) initially slidably along the support rail (5) and along the load carrying tube (7), wherein the support rail (5) is displaceable along the load carrying tube (7) and transverse to the load carrying tube (7) to a desired position, and operating a clamping means (12) of the fastening means (1) to substantially simultaneously contact against the supporting rail and against the load carrying tube (7) to fasten these relative each other.
 20. Method according to claim 19, further comprising at least one additional support rail (5), said support rail carriers (5) being arranged on the load carrying tube (7) displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to each other.
 21. Fastening means (1) for clamping a support rail (5) at a load carrying tube (7), comprising a shackle (8) adapted to extend essentially around the load carrying tube (7), and a clamping means (12), configured to clamp the load carrying tube (7) between the shackle (8) and the clamping means (12), said fastening means (1) having at least one support rail (5) adapted guiding (4) integrated with the fastening means (1), wherein the support rail (5) is clamped between the clamping means (12) and the guiding (4) when said clamping means (12) is tightened.
 22. Fastening means (1) according to claim 21, the guiding (4) extends along at least an elongated upper edge of the shackle (8) and the clamping means (12) comprises a wedge shaped device (21), which by means of a bolt (22) is engaged with the support rail (5) and the load carrying tube (7) when the clamping means (12) is tightened such that the load carrying tube (7) is clamped between the shackle (8) and a lower surface (23) of the wedge shaped device (21) and the support rail (5) is clamped between the guiding (4) and an upper surface (24) of the wedge shaped device (21), whereby the support rail (5) and the load carrying tube (7) are fixed to each other.
 23. Fastening means (1) according claim 22, wherein the guiding (4) comprises two L-shaped guiding rails (4 a, 4 b), adapted for insertion into corresponding L-shaped recesses (6 a, 6 b) in the support rail (5).
 24. Fastening means (1) according claim 23, wherein the fastening means (1) comprises an elongated body (2), said body having at one end (10) being turnably attached at the shackle (8) by a hinge (9), and said body has at an opposite end (11) said clamping means (12), which is configured to bring the shackle (8) in direction against the body (2) and firmly clamp the load carrying tube (7) between the shackle (8) and a lower surface (3 b) of the body (2), and wherein an upper surface (3 a) of the body (2) has said elongated guiding (4) which is integrated with the body (2), and that the body (2), at least partly, is elastic deformable, wherein when the clamping means (12) is tightened, the body (2) is deformed such that the support rail (5) becomes fixed at the guide (4).
 25. Fastening means (1) according to claim 24, wherein the guiding (4) comprises two T-shaped guiding rails (4 a, 4 b), which are shaped to be received by two corresponding C-shaped recesses (6 a, 6 b) in the support rail (5).
 26. Fastening means (1) according to claim 25, wherein when the clamping means is tightened, the upper surface (3 a) of the body (2) is at least partly in contact with the support rail (5) and said support rail becomes firmly wedged to the fastening means (1), between the upper surface (3 a) and the guiding rails (4).
 27. Fastening means (1) according to claim 25, wherein when the clamping means is tightened, the respective guiding rail (4 a, 4 b) abut against the boundary wall of respective recess (6 a, 6 b) in the support rail (5) and said guiding rail becomes firmly wedged to the fastening means (1).
 28. Fastening means according to claim 24, wherein the body (2) is located above the load carrying tube (7) and abuts the load carrying tube (7) essentially perpendicularly. 